Redd Kross | History of the Band
Fusing their California punk origins with power-pop hooks and glam flair, they crafted some of the 90s most underrated and eclectic alternative rock
Redd Kross was formed in the late 1970s in Hawthorne, California, by brothers Jeff and Steven McDonald. Initially known as The Tourists and later Red Cross, they were part of the first wave of American hardcore punk. Their early sound reflected the chaotic and rebellious spirit of Southern California punk, heavily influenced by bands like Black Flag and The Germs. However, even from their inception, the McDonald brothers showed an affinity for pop culture references, humor, and a playful irreverence, something that would distinguish them from the typical punk crowd.
Vadim Taver suggested this artist for a future Dig Me Out podcast episode. Each month, our Patrons are presented with a selection of albums suggested by listeners and asked to vote for their favorite.
As they moved into the 1980s, Redd Kross began shifting away from their early hardcore style, embracing a more melodic and pop-infused direction. They tapped into elements of glam rock, power pop, and even bubblegum pop, nodding to their love for bands like The Beatles and The Monkees. This eclectic mix laid the groundwork for their eventual musical identity in the 1990s.
By the 1990s, Redd Kross had fully embraced their pop-culture obsessions and musical eclecticism, creating a sound that blended the hooks of classic power pop with the raw energy of alternative rock. This was a decade where the band leaned even harder into glam, psychedelic rock, and pop-punk influences, while maintaining a balance of catchy melodies and a punk edge.
Their sound in the 90s had a distinct nostalgia for 70s rock, but it was filtered through a post-punk sensibility that gave it a fresh, irreverent twist. Redd Kross never shied away from embracing both the highbrow and lowbrow sides of rock ‘n’ roll, and their albums in this era showcased a tight grasp of songcraft, alongside their usual quirky lyrics and infectious energy. As a result, the 90s saw them standing on the fringes of the alternative explosion but never fully blending into the mainstream.
Discography and Notable 90s Albums
“Third Eye” (1990)
Released on Atlantic Records, Third Eye marked a pivotal moment for Redd Kross. The album was a kaleidoscopic journey through pop, glam, and alternative rock, and it featured some of their most polished and accessible work up to that point. Produced by Michael Wagener, known for his work with Mötley Crüe and Metallica, the album was a leap forward in terms of production quality, bringing a slicker sound to their infectious hooks.
Songs like “Annie’s Gone” became minor hits on alternative radio, blending jangly guitars with glossy pop sensibilities. While the album didn’t reach commercial success, it cemented Redd Kross as cult icons, earning them fans from both the underground and more mainstream circles. Third Eye was emblematic of their ability to straddle the line between radio-friendly rock and their quirky, offbeat charm.
“Phaseshifter” (1993)
Arguably the defining Redd Kross album of the 90s, Phaseshifter saw the band moving to the indie label This Way Up, and it presented a more muscular and focused sound. Featuring a lineup change that included Brian Reitzell on drums and Eddie Kurdziel on guitar, the album injected more power into their pop formulas. Phaseshifter was heavier and more rock-oriented than Third Eye, but it retained the melodic core that fans had come to expect.
Tracks like “Jimmy’s Fantasy” and “Lady In The Front Row” are power-pop gems, full of crunchy guitars, tight harmonies, and bubblegum hooks. The album’s punchier production, courtesy of producer Jim Rondinelli, gave Redd Kross a harder edge that fit well with the grunge and alternative rock explosion of the time, though they were always more pop than grunge. Critics praised the album’s blend of punk spirit with 70s glam aesthetics, though it never broke through commercially.
“Show World” (1997)
Their final 90s album, Show World, released on the independent label Relativity Records, saw Redd Kross continuing their love affair with 70s rock. It was a polished, glam-infused record that was more refined than Phaseshifter but retained the band’s quirky sensibilities. Songs like “Mess Around” and “Pretty Please Me” were drenched in hooks and harmonies, demonstrating the band’s mastery of infectious, feel-good rock.
Although Show World was packed with potential singles, it didn’t fare well commercially, largely due to shifting trends in the music industry and the decline of alternative rock’s mainstream popularity. Still, the album remains a fan favorite for its effervescent melodies and unabashed glam influence.
Throughout the 1990s, Redd Kross garnered a reputation as one of the most underappreciated bands in rock. Critics praised their musicianship and songwriting, often pointing to their ability to craft catchy, pop-infused rock songs that transcended the trends of the time. Phaseshifter in particular was highly regarded by publications like Spin and Alternative Press, who lauded its mix of power-pop and alternative rock. However, the band’s commercial success never matched their critical acclaim.
One of the ongoing critiques of Redd Kross was their inability to find a solid place in the mainstream, but for fans, this outsider status was part of their appeal. Their willingness to embrace both high and low culture, and to merge punk with pop in a way that was often seen as too quirky for the mainstream, made them a unique voice in the alternative landscape.
Influence and Legacy
Redd Kross’s impact on 90s rock is perhaps best measured in their influence on other artists. Though they never achieved major commercial success, their fusion of power-pop, punk, and glam made them icons in the alternative scene. Bands like Nirvana, The Melvins, and Sonic Youth all expressed admiration for Redd Kross, and their ability to blend genre influences into something wholly unique inspired countless others in the indie and alternative scenes.
Steven McDonald, in particular, would go on to play with bands like OFF! and Melvins, further cementing his place in rock history. Their influence can be heard in the work of many 90s and 2000s bands that embraced a similar genre-bending ethos.
Redd Kross in the 1990s embodied the spirit of a band that refused to be pigeonholed. Their ability to navigate the evolving landscape of alternative rock, while staying true to their glam, pop, and punk influences, made them a cult favorite. Though they never became household names, their albums from the decade, particularly Phaseshifter, remain essential listening for fans of eclectic, high-energy rock.
For music fans who love digging through the past to find gems that slipped through the cracks, Redd Kross offers a perfect trip back to a time when rock was playful, rebellious, and unafraid to have a little fun with itself.